EUGENE – After months of practice and preparation, the Oregon acrobatics and tumbling team is starting its season this weekend.

The Ducks travel to Waco, Texas for a dual meet against Baylor on Sunday. The meet starts at 1 p.m., local time (11 a.m. PT).

After bouncing between stunts and gymnastics meets and competitive cheer tournaments last season, UO has a full season slate competing exclusively under the new acrobatics and tumbling meet format. This year, all meets will feature competition between teams in six scored categories: compulsories, stunt, pyramid, basket toss, tumbling and the team routine.

The Ducks are coming off a third-place finish at last year’s National Cheerleaders Association National Championships and are one of the preseason favorites to win the first National Collegiate Acrobatics and Tumbling Association national championship in 2011. UO opens the year with a No. 2 national ranking in the preseason NCATA coaches’ poll.

Baylor has already competed twice this season, with both meets coming in December. The Bears defeated No. 3 Fairmont State, 265.601-252.977, in their season opener and led top-ranked Maryland through four events before dropping a tight, 274.941-271.181, decision.

Results and a recap from Sunday’s meet will be available following the competition on GoDucks.com.

News and Notes:

High Praise – Oregon is entering its first season in the acrobatics and tumbling format with high expectations. The Ducks enter the season as the No. 2 team according to the preseason NCATA coaches’ poll. That position would have the Ducks seeded and receiving an opening day bye in the NCATA National Championships, which they host April 7-9.Mulkey’s Winning Ways – Head coach Felecia Mulkey is entering her third season with the Ducks after the sport was created in 2008. Mulkey built Kennesaw State into a national power in competitive cheer during her 11-year tenure, winning two national championships and finishing runner-up on three other occasions. In Oregon’s first season, Mulkey led the Ducks to a third-place finish at the NCA Collegiate National Championships.

2011 Acrobatics and Tumbling Meet Format – A detailed description of the new acrobatics and tumbling meet and scoring format is available on GoDucks.com. This link can be accessed all season long via the submenu at the top of the screen.